Warriors won't find next Nikola Jokić at No. 41, but there's value to be found

Warriors won't find next Nikola Jokić at No. 41, but there's value to be found originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Some might call it luck, others might call it fate. Basketball’s greatest love story happened nearly 11 years ago in the most unexpected way. 

The beauty of a cheesy quesadilla met the warmth of a beefy burrito, to of course, create Taco Bell’s perfect quesarito marriage, as aired on ESPN’s coverage of the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. 

And in that moment, without even knowing it, Denver Nuggets fans quietly were introduced to Nikola Jokić. Not through highlight packages and analysts breaking down how he’ll forever change the franchise. But at the bottom of the scroll, listed as a power from Serbia who was taken with the No. 41 overall pick. 

The Warriors have a history of their own with the pick, and now own it themselves again in this year’s draft, which begins with the first round on June 25. They’d need Chris Paul to play Cliff Paul in a new State Farm commercial, Taco Bell to get a new way to “Live Más” and a Toyota commercial highlighted by an inflatable giant pink Pegasus to follow for everything to align right and pull off the miracle of finding the next Jokić at 41. 

It isn’t happening. The Warriors have their own future Hall of Fame second-round pick in Draymond Green. Jokic is the ultimate outlier.

There have been two players to go from being a second-round pick to winning MVP. Willis Reed did it first in 1970, and Jokic won the award three times. He already has six top-five finishes in his first 10 years in the league.

When Reed was a second-round pick in 1964, there were a total of nine teams. Reed was the 10th overall pick.

As the scroll showed during his draft announcement, Jokic averaged 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds over 25 games in 2013-14 while playing in the Adriatic League. His scouting report was full of negatives centered on his body and lack of athleticism. Jokic was a draft-and-stash prospect who again spent the 2014-15 season in Serbia, where his stats increased to 16.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game as a 32.6-percent 3-point shooter. 

Mike Dunleavy only has selected college players since becoming the Warriors’ general manager ahead of the 2023 draft. He did make an interesting addition when the Warriors signed Taran Armstrong out of Australia’s NBL to a two-way contract in late February. Armstrong showed promise and is part of the Warriors’ summer league plans. The Warriors could look internationally in the draft, including grabbing more talent from Australia.

Alex Toohey has played two professional seasons in the NBL, would bring size on the wing the Warriors desire at 6-foot-8 and is 21 years old. If the Warriors really want to get big like the fan base always begs for, they could entertain the idea of 7-foot-3 center Rocco Zikarsky of the Brisbane Bullets. China’s Hansen Yang, 7-foot-2, might be intriguing too. 

Yang turns 20 on the day of the second round, and Zikarsky will be 19 in July. 

But even if (when) the Warriors don’t draft the next Jokić this year, there’s still talent and value if they keep their pick where it’s at. 

The second-best player taken with the 41st pick by win shares is Cuttino Mobley, a certified bucket in the league for a decade before his career ended to a heart condition. As real bucket-getters do, Mobley still is getting it done in the Big3. Mobley made All-Rookie Second Team as a second-round pick, finished second in Sixth Man of the Year his second season and averaged 16 points per game in an 11-year career. 

Those are numbers and accolades the Warriors sure would take from their draft pick this year. There are more recent examples that also can excite them. 

Are players like Willie Green (2003), Jodie Meeks (2009), Pat Connaughton (2015), Jarred Vanderbilt (2018) and Tre Jones (2020) perfect? Of course not. But they all have carved out productive careers. If the Warriors come out of the draft with a Green, Meeks, Connaughton, Vanderbilt or Jones at No. 41, their scouting department and front office should be applauded. 

Dunleavy, in the last two drafts, brought in second-round picks that were both taken much later than No. 41, and outperformed expectations. The quesarito has been discontinued, sadly, meaning there will never be another draft story quite like Jokić’s. Another Dunleavy success story, though, shouldn’t be out of the question.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Three potential value selections for Warriors at pick No. 41

Three potential value selections for Warriors at pick No. 41 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Some might call it luck, others might call it fate. Basketball’s greatest love story happened nearly 11 years ago in the most unexpected way. 

The beauty of a cheesy quesadilla met the warmth of a beefy burrito to, of course, create Taco Bell’s perfect quesarito marriage, as aired on ESPN’s coverage of the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. 

And in that moment, without even knowing it, Denver Nuggets fans were quietly introduced to Nikola Jokić. Not through highlight packages and analysts breaking down how he’ll forever change the franchise. But at the bottom of the scroll, listed as a power from Serbia who was taken with the No. 41 overall pick. 

The Warriors have a history of their own with the pick, and now own it themselves again in this year’s draft, which begins with the first round on June 25. They’d need Chris Paul to play Cliff Paul in a new State Farm commercial, Taco Bell to get a new way to “Live Más” and a Toyota commercial highlighted by an inflatable giant pink Pegasus to follow for everything to align right and pull off the miracle of finding the next Jokić at 41. 

It isn’t happening. The Warriors have their own future Hall of Fame second-round pick in Draymond Green. Jokic is the ultimate outlier.

There have been two players to go from being a second-round pick to winning MVP. Willis Reed did it first in 1970, and Jokic won the award three times. He already has six top-five finishes in his first 10 years in the league.

When Reed was a second-round pick in 1964, there were a total of nine teams. Reed was the 10th overall pick.

As the scroll showed during his draft announcement, Jokic averaged 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds over 25 games in 2013-14 while playing in the Adriatic League. His scouting report was full of negatives centered on his body and lack of athleticism. Jokic was a draft-and-stash prospect who again spent the 2014-15 season in Serbia, where his stats increased to 16.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game as a 32.6-percent 3-point shooter. 

Mike Dunleavy only has selected college players since becoming the Warriors’ general manager ahead of the 2023 draft. He did make an interesting addition when the Warriors signed Taran Armstrong out of Australia’s NBL to a two-way contract in late February. Armstrong showed promise and is part of the Warriors’ summer league plans. The Warriors could look internationally in the draft, including grabbing more talent from Australia.

Alex Toohey has played two professional seasons in the NBL, would bring size on the wing the Warriors desire at 6-foot-8 and is 21 years old. If the Warriors really want to get big like the outside always begs for, they could entertain the idea of 7-foot-3 center Rocco Zikarsky of the Brisbane Bullets. China’s Hansen Yang, 7-foot-2, might be intriguing too. 

Yang turns 20 the day of the second round, and Zikarsky will be 19 in July. 

But even if (when) the Warriors don’t draft the next Jokić this year, there’s still talent and value if they keep their pick where it’s at. 

The second-best player taken with the 41st pick by win shares is Cuttino Mobley, a certified bucket in the league for a decade before his career ended to a heart condition. As real bucket-getters do, Mobley still is getting it done in the Big3. Mobley made All-Rookie Second Team as a second-round pick, finished second in Sixth Man of the Year his second season and averaged 16 points per game in an 11-year career. 

Those are numbers and accolades the Warriors sure would take from their draft pick this year. There are more recent examples that also can excite them. 

Are players like Willie Green (2003), Jodie Meeks (2009), Pat Connaughton (2015), Jarred Vanderbilt (2018) and Tre Jones (2020) perfect? Of course not. But they all have carved out productive careers. If the Warriors come out of the draft with a Green, Meeks, Connaughton, Vanderbilt or Jones at No. 41, their scouting department and front office should be applauded. 

Dunleavy in the last two drafts brought in second-round picks that were both taken much later than No. 41, and outperformed expectations. The quesarito has been discontinued, sadly meaning there will never be another draft story quite like Jokić’s. Another Dunleavy success story, though, shouldn’t be out of the question.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Cubs at Phillies Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 11

It's Wednesday, June 11 and the Cubs (41-26) are in Philadelphia to take on the Phillies (38-29). Ben Brown is slated to take the mound for Chicago against Jesús Luzardo for Philadelphia.

Chicago evened the series up 1-1 yesterday with an 8-4 victory to send Philadelphia back into the loss column. The Phillies have lost 10 of the last 12 games, 6 of the past 7 and three straight when Luzardo pitches. The Cubs are 2-3 in the previous five games.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Cubs at Phillies

  • Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
  • Time: 1:05PM EST
  • Site: Citizens Bank Park
  • City: Philadelphia, PA
  • Network/Streaming: MARQ, NBCSP, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Cubs at the Phillies

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Cubs (+105), Phillies (-125)
  • Spread:  Phillies -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cubs at Phillies

  • Pitching matchup for June 11, 2025: Ben Brown vs. Jesús Luzardo
    • Cubs: Ben Brown, (3-4, 5.37 ERA)
      Last outing: 7.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 7 Strikeouts
    • Phillies: Jesús Luzardo, (5-2, 4.46 ERA)
      Last outing: 2.1 Innings Pitched, 8 Earned Runs Allowed, 9 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Cubs and the Phillies

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Cubs and the Phillies:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Chicago Cubs at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cubs at Phillies

  • The Phillies have lost 3 straight when Jesus Luzardo pitches (8-5 overall)
  • The Cubs are 7-6 when Ben Brown pitches
  • The Phillies have lost 4 of their last 5 games
  • The Under is 30-25 in the Phillies' matchups against National League teams this season
  • The Phillies have failed to cover the Run Line in 5 of their last 6 games

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Camp-ready Jaylen Brown clears first question mark about Celtics' future

Camp-ready Jaylen Brown clears first question mark about Celtics' future originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

One of the many lingering health questions surrounding the future of the Boston Celtics got answered Wednesday.

The Celtics announced that Jaylen Brown, after undergoing a right knee arthroscopic debridement procedure, is expected to participate in training camp without limitations. Right knee issues, including a partial meniscus tear, limited Brown over the final months of the 2024-25 season, and there were concerns that offseason surgery might compromise his availability for the start the new season.

Now, assuming Brown is still on Boston’s roster after the team’s upcoming offseason maneuvering, the Celtics would have one of their two superstar forwards available to start the 2025-26 campaign. Jayson Tatum is sidelined indefinitely after rupturing his Achilles in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Celtics have tough financial decisions to ponder this offseason, needing to shed $20-plus million to get off the punitive second apron, plus an additional $20 million if they yearn to dip below the luxury tax line with a long-term goal of resetting cumbersome repeater penalties. That’s before addressing the future of free agents Al Horford and Luke Kornet.

Hovering above all that was the health status of three core members of the championship squad. There is no timeline for Tatum’s return, while Kristaps Porzingis battled a mystery illness that sapped his energy throughout Boston’s playoff run.

Brown being ready for training camp won’t stop trade speculation. In fact, knowing Brown will be available to start the season might make rivals more likely to inquire about his availability.

But if the Celtics elect to proceed with Brown and Tatum as the core of their team, then next season allows a healthier Brown to slide into the 1A role. Even after he won NBA Finals MVP and helped the Celtics secure Banner 18 in 2024, there were some who wondered if Brown eventually would want to be the clear-cut focal point of a team rather than share that spotlight.

Now, Brown might get the opportunity to do that in Boston.

The idea of Brown as the focal point could be an intriguing storyline if the Celtics are navigating an uncertain season while Tatum rehabs. Brown, snubbed from All-NBA status during the 2023-24 season and ineligible for that honor after playing just 63 games last season, would have every opportunity to showcase his ability to lead whatever version of the Celtics emerges this summer.

The 28-year-old Brown is entering year two of the five-year, $285 million extension he signed in July 2023 and will earn $53.1 million next season.

Brown averaged 22.2 points, a career-best 4.5 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game last season. His shooting efficiency dipped from his stellar 2023-24 season, down to 46.3 percent overall and 32.4 percent beyond the 3-point arc. Brown was voted to his fourth All-Star squad as a reserve, but knee woes contributed to him falling short of the 65-game threshold necessary for end-of-the-season award consideration.

The need for a surgical cleanup only hammers home how Brown played through pain at the end of the season, with Boston hoping to become the first Celtics squad to repeat as champions in over a half century. Brown clearly was hindered from night to night in the postseason but still produced some of his finest play, particularly in the immediate aftermath of Tatum’s season-ending injury.

Brown fretted that all of Boston’s injury woes seemed to nip the team at the worst part of the season.

“We just had some unfortunate events, some injuries,” said Brown. “Personally, I had some stuff that I was persevering through and it caught up to us in the end.”

Later, Brown added: “I’m looking forward to coming back stronger. Just take this [early playoff exit] with your chin up. I know Boston, it looks gloomy right now. Obviously with JT being out and us ending the year. But it’s a lot to look forward to. A lot to look forward to and I want the city to feel excited about that.

“This is not the end. I’m looking forward to what’s next.”

2025 NBA Finals: Four things to watch in Game 3 between Thunder, Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana secured the split it needed on the road in Oklahoma City, and now it comes home… but will that be enough? Game 2 was the kind of commanding performance we have seen from the Thunder all season long, and it's the kind of game that should put doubts in the minds of Pacers faithful.

Game 3 will be crucial, and here are four key factors to watch.

Indiana can’t dig another hole

It's the most telling statistic of these NBA Finals so far: Through two games, the Thunder have led for 91:22 minutes and the Pacers 1:53. As impressive as the Pacers ability to come from behind and win close games all postseason has been, if they are going to have a chance this series they can't keep falling behind by double-digits early then having to dig themselves out of a hole against the Thunder.

In Game 1, a 15-5 first-quarter Thunder run put them up by double digits and the Pacers spent the rest of the game playing catch-up, but because the lead never got beyond 15, they were able to, leading to Haliburton's dramatic game-winner.

In Game 2, a more focused Thunder team took charge with a 19-2 second quarter run that stretched the lead out to 23, and the Pacers never recovered.

Indiana knows it can't keep doing this. The change has to start with a more aggressive Tyrese Haliburton early, he has to be more willing to hunt his own shot.

"I think playing two games against these guys is really good. It gives me more film to watch, see where I can be better," Haliburton said. "I feel like I haven't been great by any means the first two games. I'm just trying to take what I can to prepare me for Game 3, just trying to be the best version of myself. Keep watching film, see where I can get better."

Haliburton has seen defensive pressure before; the difference with the Thunder is that they have a wealth of high-quality point-of-attack defenders.

"There are similarities," to how the Knicks tried to pressure Haliburton, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "The difference is Oklahoma has more people to throw at a great player, really at both of our All-Stars. They can throw bigger, smaller, medium guys at Tyrese, and at Pascal. It's one of their strengths."

It's one thing the Pacers have to navigate, and do so early in the game, so they aren't trying to climb out of a hole.

Pacers defense

While much of the focus out of Game 2 has been on the Pacers' offense and the need to get Haliburton going against the high-pressure Thunder defense, that wasn't Indiana's biggest problem in Game 2.

Oklahoma City put up a 126 offensive rating in Game 2 — six points better than their regular season average and 19 points better than in Game 1. The Thunder shredded the Pacers' defense on Sunday night. That started with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who actually scored four fewer points in Game 2 compared to the series opener, but was more efficient (52.4% shooting).

Oklahoma City began setting its picks out much higher on the floor, which gave SGA room to get going downhill and deal with the Pacers' more unconventional pick-and-roll coverages. Gilgeous-Alexander then put on a masterclass of getting his teammates involved with Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams having strong first halves, while Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins scored 38 of the Pacers' 46 bench points in the game.

The Pacers need to clean up their defensive end fast, because if Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder keep scoring at the rate they did in Game 2, all the other adjustments will be moot.

Time for Carlisle to shrink the rotation

Through two games, Indiana is +7 when Haliburton is on the court and -22 in the 23 minutes he has sat.

It's not just him: Indiana is +4 this series with Myles Turner on the court, and +5 with Aaron Nesmith on the court.

Depth and a Warriors-esque "strength in numbers" is part of the Pacers' identity, but to win this series, Carlisle is going to have to stick with what is working, and what's working is his core starters. Play Haliburton for more than 40 minutes and increase the minutes for Turner, Nesmith, and others. Carlisle has to lean into what is working.

Keep an eye on Haliburton

Tyrese Haliburton had a slight but noticeable limp after Game 2. By the time he was out on the Pacers' home court practicing on the eve of Game 3 there was no sign of that limp, and he played it down.

"I'm fine. Really just a lower leg thing. I'll leave it at that," Haliburton said. "I don't think there's anything more to elaborate. I feel fine and I'll be ready to go for Game 3."

It's probably nothing, but it's something to keep an eye on.

Does this mock trade proposal make sense for Bruins at 2025 NHL Draft?

Does this mock trade proposal make sense for Bruins at 2025 NHL Draft? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Bruins have the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. It’s the first time since 2006 that Boston’s own first-round pick is in the top seven.

Including this No. 7 pick, the Bruins could have as many as five first-round selections over the next three drafts.

They have their own first-round pick in 2025, 2026 and 2027, as well as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2026 first-rounder (top-five protected, per PuckPedia) and the Florida Panthers’ 2027 first-rounder (top-10 protected, per PuckPedia).

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Could the Bruins acquire another first-rounder ahead of the draft on June 27?

The Athletic’s 2025 NHL Staff Mock Draft 2.0 was published Wednesday, and it includes the Bruins getting the No. 15 pick in a fake trade with the Vancouver Canucks.

Here are the details of the mock trade proposal:

  • Bruins acquire forward Nils Hoglander and No. 15 pick (used to take defenseman Jackson Smith)
  • Canucks acquire forwards Pavel Zacha and Marat Khusnutdinov

Would this trade make sense for the Bruins? There are pros and cons.

One positive would be acquiring another top-15 pick. It’s no secret the B’s have one of the league’s worst prospect pools. In fact, the Bruins’ prospect pool ranked 30th out of 32 teams in Scott Wheeler’s latest evaluation for The Athletic in February. That’s what happens when you make a first-round pick in just four of the last seven drafts.

Taking a center — such as Jake O’Brien, Brady Martin, etc. — with the No. 7 pick and a defenseman — such as Jackson Smith — with the No. 15 pick would significantly bolster Boston’s prospect talent and depth. The B’s could also use the No. 7 and No. 15 picks to try to trade up in Round 1 if there was a player they really like. Trading up can be difficult, though.

Nils Hoglander is signed for three more seasons with a team-friendly $3 million salary cap hit. Hoglander tallied a career-high 36 points, including a career-high 24 goals, during the 2023-24 campaign. But he took a step back this past season with 25 points (eight goals, 17 assists) in 72 games. If Hoglander played like he did in 2023-24, his contract would be an absolute steal. But he’s played five seasons in the NHL, and only once has he scored more than 13 goals.

Losing Zacha would be tough for the Bruins, too. His versatility as someone who can fill a top-six role at center or on the wing is valuable. He has good chemistry with David Pastrnak. His stats this past season were a decline from the two previous years, but he should be able to get back to the 20-goal mark next season. He actually has the second-most even-strength points (81) of any Bruins player over the last two seasons. Zacha is also signed to a team-friendly contract that runs through 2026-27 with a $4.75 million cap hit.

Zacha isn’t an elite offensive player, but the Bruins lack scoring depth and cannot afford to be dealing away players who can tally 50-plus points if they plan on being in the playoff mix next season. The B’s are also pretty thin at center.

Overall, this trade would make sense for the Bruins if they were doing a full and proper rebuild. But if the B’s plan on just doing a retool, then it wouldn’t make sense to pursue this deal.

Mets vs. Nationals: How to watch on SNY on June 11, 2025

The Mets continue a three-game series with the Nationals at Citi Field on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...


Mets Notes

  • Juan Soto is hitting .378/.549/.784 with four homers, three doubles, eight RBI, and 14 runs scored over his last 11 games
  • Pete Alonso is hitting .338/.403/.769 with eight homers, four doubles, 12 runs scored, and 24 RBI over his last 16 games
  • Francisco Lindor is hitting .316/.355/.561 with four home runs, two doubles, 11 runs scored, and nine RBI over his last 14 games

NATIONALS
METS
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What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone. 

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB? 

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps: 

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider. 
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account. 
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY. 

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.  

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices. 
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here

ICYMI in Mets Land: Sean Manaea and Mark Vientos injury updates; top prospect buzz

Here's what happened in Mets Land on Tuesday, in case you missed it...


Marlins at Pirates Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 11

It's Wednesday, June 11 and the Marlins (25-40) are in Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates (27-41). Cal Quantrill is slated to take the mound for Miami against Bailey Falter for Pittsburgh.

Miami won the second game of the series yesterday, 3-2, surviving two solo eighth inning homers from Pittsburgh. The loss snapped a season-long four game winning streak for the Pirates. The Marlins are now 2-7 in the last nine games.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Marlins at Pirates

  • Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
  • Time: 12:35PM EST
  • Site: PNC Park
  • City: Pittsburgh, PA
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNFL, SNP

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Marlins at the Pirates

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Marlins (+126), Pirates (-152)
  • Spread:  Pirates -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Marlins at Pirates

  • Pitching matchup for June 11, 2025: Cal Quantrill vs. Bailey Falter
    • Marlins: Cal Quantrill, (3-6, 5.63 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 2 Strikeouts
    • Pirates: Bailey Falter, (4-3, 3.49 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.2 Innings Pitched, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 2 2Walks, and 2 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Marlins and the Pirates

Rotoworld Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes Oneil Cruz to record a stolen base:

"Oneil Cruz leads the MLB in stolen bases at 23 and is the favorite across all sports books to steal a base today at +115 to +125 odds. Cruz was the favorite yesterday at +155, but homered instead of stealing a base, so I will take my chances today against the Marlins."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Marlins and the Pirates:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Pittsburgh Pirates on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Marlins at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Marlins at Pirates

  • The Pirates have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against NL East teams
  • The Under is 29-19-4 in the Pirates' matchups against National League teams this season
  • The Marlins have covered in 4 of their last 5 on the road, profiting 1.84 units

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Rays at Red Sox Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 11

It's Wednesday, June 11 and the Rays (36-31) are in Boston to take on the Red Sox (33-36). Zack Littell is slated to take the mound for Tampa Bay against Walker Buehler for Boston.

The Red Sox took Game 2 of the series, 3-1, and are now winners in three of the past four. The rubber match will be a chance for the Rays tied up the season series after the Red Sox took the first, 2-1.

Tampa Bay could win their sixth game over the past nine as they've been on a hot streak to start June (6-3 overall). The Rays have also won eight-straight games with Littell pitching after losing the first five with him.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Rays at Red Sox

  • Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Fenway Park
  • City: Boston, MA
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNSUN, NESN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Rays at the Red Sox

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Rays (-105), Red Sox (-115)
  • Spread:  Red Sox 1.5
  • Total: 10.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rays at Red Sox

  • Pitching matchup for June 11, 2025: Zack Littell vs. Walker Buehler
    • Rays: Zack Littell, (6-5, 3.68 ERA)
      Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Red Sox: Walker Buehler, (4-4, 5.18 ERA)
      Last outing: 2.0 Innings Pitched, 5 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Rays and the Red Sox

Rotoworld Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes some sprinkles on Roman Anthony to homer (+600) and steal a base (+950):

"Roman Anthony, MLB's No. 1 prospect, earned his first official hit yesterday on a double (2 RBI), a day after making his debut and hitting a RBI fielders choice in the bottom of the 9th to help the Sox's get to extras.

Anthony has brought in three runs through two games and should feel confident coming off the win, so for a few bucks, I think the value on him hitting a homer (+600) and stealing a base (+950) are worth spromarinkling before the Yankees come to town."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Rays and the Red Sox:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Tampa Bay Rays on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Tampa Bay Rays at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 10.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rays at Red Sox

  • Tampa Bay has won eight-straight games when Zack Littell pitches (8-5 overall)
  • Boston has lost three straight games when Walker Bueheler pitches (6-4 overall)
  • The Rays have won 4 of 5 games at divisional opponents
  • The Under is 13-10 in the Rays' road games this season
  • The Rays have covered the Run Line in 7 of their last 9 road games

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

2025 NBA mock draft roundup: National title hero a good fit for Celtics?

2025 NBA mock draft roundup: National title hero a good fit for Celtics? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics will need another offensive spark off the bench next season.

The team’s leading scorer, Jayson Tatum, is expected to miss most (or all) of next season as he recovers from Achilles surgery. If the Celtics try to get under the second apron of the luxury tax, it might result in a couple of veterans being traded. Sam Hauser and Jrue Holiday could have good value on the trade market.

Someone who can score and has plenty of experience at the college level would be a good fit for the Celtics with the No. 28 pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.

One player who checks off those boxes is Walter Clayton Jr. The Florida guard led the Gators to a national title this past season. He averaged 18.3 points per game and shot 38.6 percent from 3-point range. He was a four-year college player — two years at Iona and two at Florida — so he’s a little more polished than some of the one-and-done prospects.

Clayton’s ability to create his own shot from anywhere on the floor would be valuable in Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla’s system. He doesn’t have a ton of size and isn’t an elite defensive player, but he plays physical and doesn’t back down from a challenge.

Which other players should the Celtics target at the end of the first round?

Here’s a roundup of expert predictions from recent NBA mock drafts.

Jonathan Givony, ESPN: Noah Penda, SF/PF, Le Mans (France)

“The Celtics have some big needs to address in the wake of Jayson Tatum‘s season-ending Achilles injury, but they can’t have any real expectation to address them in the draft, certainly not this late in the first round.

“Finding a combo forward such as Penda, who’s capable of soaking up minutes, hopefully gaining some experience and perhaps emerging as capable of adding value in a year from now, would be a major win. Penda’s versatility and strong feel for the game played an important role in carving out a strong role in the French first division. He is an intelligent passer who slides all over the court on defense and plays a mature style of basketball for a 20-year-old.”

Jeremy Woo, ESPN: Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida

“The Celtics hit a home run selecting Payton Pritchard at No. 26 in the first round in 2020, and could see value in developing another scoring-oriented reserve guard in Clayton.

“With Boston likely to roster its draft picks as it considers changes to the team moving forward, Clayton might be useful right away as a bench option who can pinch hit for its other guards or step in if the Celtics make trades. His shooting, explosiveness and toughness give him a chance to succeed in a role long term.”

Gary Parrish, CBS Sports: Rasheer Fleming, Wing, Saint Joseph’s

“The combine proved that Fleming is a little taller than 6-8 (barefoot) with a wingspan a little better than 7-5. Those measurements are great for somebody who also shot 39% from 3 on 4.5 attempts per game as a 20 year-old, and that’s among the reasons Fleming should go in the lottery despite mostly operating off of the national radar in three seasons at Saint Joseph’s.”

Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report: Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida

“Confidence in Walter Clayton Jr. surged after his 34-point performance against Auburn. His fearlessness and clutch shotmaking have scouts beginning to look past concerns about his size and buy into his potential as a scoring guard.

“Clayton shot extremely well during drills at the NBA combine, reinforcing the belief that, despite standing just 6’3″, his shooting ability and toughness could make him a valuable bench spark at the next level.”

J. Kyle Mann, The Ringer: Maxime Raynaud, PF/C, Stanford

“The Celtics have recently had some success developing frontcourt players—Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta—and Raynaud could be the next one. If he were a big who needed to learn to play through defenders’ chests and assert himself in the fray, I’d worry about him finding his way in the more physical NBA. But Raynaud was highly active both inside and outside the arc for Stanford this past season. If Boston found a way to sculpt a shot chart that smartly balances his ability to body a defender near the rim and pop out for a 3, Raynaud could become a contributor.”

How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers Game 3: TV/stream info, date, time

With the series tied 1-1, the NBA Finals will shift to Indiana for Game 3 on Wednesday, June 11, at 8:30 PM ET.

After the Pacers had another magical comeback in Game 1 of the Finals, the Thunder took control in Game 2. OKC took the lead late in the first quarter and never gave it back for the remainder of the game to tie the series up 1-1.

The Pacers dominated the rebounding battle in Game 1, but the Thunder were able to out-rebound Indiana 43-35 in Game 2. OKC also got a much better performance from Chet Holmgren, who scored 15 points after being held to just six points in Game 1.

Still, the focus remains on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He has scored 72 points through the first two games, which is more than anyone else has scored in the first two NBA Finals games of their career. It has been an amazing start to the series for the MVP, and if he keeps it up, he’ll certainly be named Finals MVP if OKC wins the series.

As for Indiana, they did a great job cleaning up the turnovers in Game 2, but it still wasn’t pretty. They had 15 team turnovers after turning it over 25 times in Game 1. They averaged 12.2 turnovers per game during the regular season and have averaged 12.8 turnovers per game during the postseason so far.

Of course, OKC’s suffocating defense makes it difficult for every team to avoid turning the ball over.

Indiana has utilized a balanced attack on offense so far. Seven different players scored in double figures in Game 2, and six players had at least 10 points in Game 1. However, they haven’t had a 20-point scorer in either game. That could certainly change as the series heads to Indianapolis for Game 3.

How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers Game 3:

  • Date: Wednesday, June 11
  • Time: 8:30 PM ET
  • Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana
  • TV Channel: ABC

When is Game 3 of the NBA Finals?

Wednesday, June 11, at 8:30 PM ET.

What channel is the Thunder vs Pacers game on?

The Thunder vs. Pacers series will take place on ABC.

Thunder vs. Pacers Series Scores and Schedule:

*All times listed are ET (* = if necessary)

  • Game 1: Pacers 111, Thunder 110
  • Game 2:Thunder 123, Pacers 107
  • Game 3: Thunder at Pacers - Wed. June 11, 8:30 PM on ABC
  • Game 4: Thunder at Pacers - Fri. June 13, 8:30 PM on ABC
  • Game 5: Pacers at Thunder - Mon. June 16, 8:30 PM on ABC 
  • Game 6: Thunder at Pacers - Thu. June 19, 8:30 PM on ABC*
  • Game 7: Pacers at Thunder - Sun, June 22, 8 PM on ABC*

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Path to the NBA Finals:

After dominating the regular season and finishing with a league-best 68-14 record, Oklahoma City has continued to be fantastic in the postseason. They were the best defensive team in the league during the regular season, and that has held true in the playoffs, which helped them reach the Finals for the first time since 2012.

The Thunder swept the Grizzlies in the first round before being pushed to the bring in their seven-game series against the Nuggets. However, things went much smoother in the Western Conference Finals, and OKC beat the Timberwolves in a gentleman's sweep.

Indiana Pacers’ Path to the NBA Finals:

On New Year’s Day, the Pacers held a 16-18 record. It seemed like their run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024 had been a fluke. However, they finished the regular season with a 34-14 record and had the sixth-best net rating in the league after January 1, which helped them earn the No. 4 seed in the East.

From there, the Pacers beat the Bucks and Cavaliers in five games before going on to beat the Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Indiana had to complete multiple miraculous comebacks to make it to the Finals, and they had another in Game 1, which ended with a Tyrese Haliburton game-winner.

Five NHL trades, free-agent acquisitions Sharks should explore this offseason

Five NHL trades, free-agent acquisitions Sharks should explore this offseason originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

How will the Sharks improve this offseason?

No doubt, the hockey hot stove is percolating with trade and free agency rumors right now.

The 2025 NHL Draft is on June 27, and free agency begins on July 1, so the market is about to explode.

But not every possible acquisition fits the Sharks and their timeline.

So, what are five possible (and realistic) ways for the Sharks to take another step?

Before we get to that, let’s talk about how the Sharks probably aren’t going to improve themselves this offseason.

Big Free Agency Swing?

One hundred-point winger Mitch Marner is the prize of this free agency class. But even if he’d consider the last-place Sharks, it doesn’t seem like San Jose is ready to offer maximum seven or eight-year contracts to a UFA.

“It’s still not something I’m excited to do — to hand out, you know, seven- or eight-year deals or anything like that,” general manager Mike Grier said at the end of the season. “I’d still like to keep it more in the short to mid-term range, if possible.”

Grier could just be being coy, but he seems the cautious type, sources indicate the same thing, and there’s no indication that he’s being pressured from above to make a big splash.

So my guess is the Sharks stay out of the high end of free agency this summer.

If so, that could rule out San Jose from the chase for UFA forwards Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers and Sam Bennett. Same goes for defensemen Aaron Ekblad, Vladislav Gavrikov and Ivan Provorov.

It doesn’t mean that the Sharks won’t invest significantly in free agency, but probably more in the range of last summer’s four-year, $24 million pact with Tyler Toffoli.

What Can Sharks Offer in Trade?

A trade takes two to tango, and what the Sharks have to offer might not be enticing to other teams.

Specifically, San Jose does have an absolute war chest of futures to offer, extra first-round picks and high-end prospect depth.

But as of now, it feels like the most active teams on the market are looking to win now, not looking for futures.

So while futures could be a part of any deal, it’s hard to see them forming the core of potential trades for top-notch acquisitions like 40-goal winger Jason Robertson, almost point-per-game winger J.J. Peterka and top-pairing caliber defensemen like Noah Dobson, Bowen Byram and Samuel Girard.

At the moment, there isn’t a franchise out there a la the 2022-23 Sharks, looking to rebuild and dangling a star like Timo Meier. That’s the kind of trade where the Sharks can outbid the rest of the league.

For what it’s worth, the Sharks do have the No. 30 pick in the 2025 Draft and the Edmonton Oilers’ top-12 protected 2026 first to offer. They also have, arguably, the deepest farm system in the NHL, especially up front.

Sharks Can Also Offer This

The Sharks also have tons of cap space, which will help them absorb short-term contracts.

What doesn’t help is being the worst team in hockey, which makes San Jose a less attractive place for quality players who have a choice of where to go, like UFAs John Tavares and Matt Duchene, and cap casualty Chris Kreider, who has a 15-team no-trade list.

Mason Marchment, another potential cap casualty, has a 10-team no-trade list. Maybe the Sharks aren’t on that list?

So, who does this leave for the Sharks?

Mikael Granlund

San Jose Hockey Now heard at the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine that the Stars were really happy with Granlund, after they acquired him from the Sharks last season, seeing him as a solid influence on the many Finns on the squad, besides being a terrific two-way forward. So they’re looking to retain the pending UFA.

But that doesn’t take away how much Granlund enjoyed it in San Jose, where he revived his career over the past year and a half.

The 33-year-old isn’t looking for a significant term, so if the Stars can’t fit him in, a San Jose reunion would be logical. The Sharks were equally happy with Granlund in his time there.

K’Andre Miller

The New York Rangers are looking to win now, so why trade a 25-year-old top-four defenseman?

He is an RFA, and the Rangers might be looking to distribute their money in better places.

There are rumors that Miller will be subject to an offer sheet at the beginning of free agency, possibly in the range of $4.68 to $7.02 million AAV, which comes at the cost of a 2026 first and third.

Draft picks used for offer sheets have to be your own, so there’s no way that the Sharks are putting up their own 2026 first for Miller. That Sharks’ 2026 first could be projected No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna.

But can San Jose beat the trade value of a 2026 first and third, assuming Miller gets offer sheets elsewhere?

They have next year’s Oilers’ first to start a trade conversation.

It’s hard to say, once again, if futures are enough to be the foundation of such a trade.

Nicolas Hague

Hague has never been a top-four defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights, but an argument can be made that the 26-year-old has been blocked by the perennial Stanley Cup contender’s deep defensive group.

Do the Sharks believe that Hague has more to offer?

The Golden Knights are also facing a cap crunch, so the pending RFA could be an offer sheet candidate, perhaps at the high end of the $2.34 to $4.68 million AAV range. That would cost the Sharks their 2026 second-round pick.

Matt Grzelcyk

The 31-year-old defenseman had a career-high 40 points last season and could help run the Sharks’ power play. After trading Jake Walman last year, San Jose didn’t have a credible blueline presence on the man advantage.

I believe the UFA, who was coming off a down 2023-24 campaign, is looking for stability, which San Jose could certainly offer a la Toffoli.

Ilya Lyubushkin

Dallas actually has two veteran defensemen in Lyubushkin ($3.25 million AAV, two years left) and Matt Dumba ($3.75 million AAV, one year left) that they could be looking to dump to clear cap space.

Lybushkin had a tough time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Dumba didn’t even play as a healthy scratch, but on the Sharks, they’d both improve a thin defense.

Chances are, they won’t cost much either, especially Dumba.

So, a short or mid-term free agent signing? A hockey or cap casualty trade? A low-end offer sheet?

The likely avenues for the Sharks to improve aren’t the most exciting, but there is good news. With young stars Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund and Yaroslav Askarov leading the way, the big swings are coming.

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Celtics star Jaylen Brown undergoes knee surgery, expects to be ready for training camp

Celtics star Jaylen Brown undergoes knee surgery, expects to be ready for training camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Boston Celtics’ two best players have both undergone surgeries over the past month.

Jaylen Brown underwent a successful surgery on his right knee Wednesday and is expected to participate in 2025 training camp “without limitation,” the team announced. The Celtics described Brown’s surgery as a “right knee arthroscopic debridement procedure.”

Brown had been dealing with nagging right knee pain since March and missed six regular-season games in a 13-game span down the stretch. After an April 3 loss to the Miami Heat, Brown admitted he had consistent knee pain but planned to play through it.

“I’ve had to come to grips that every night I’m not gonna feel my normal self,” Brown said at the time, “but that doesn’t mean I still can’t make plays and things like that. So, it’s just something that we are working through.”

The 28-year-old didn’t miss a game in the postseason, and while his typical explosiveness was limited, he still averaged 22.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. After Boston’s second-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks, it was revealed that Brown had a partially torn right meniscus.

Brown’s surgery comes just over a month after Celtics co-star Jayson Tatum had surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. Tatum is expected to miss most or all of the 2025-26 season, giving Brown a golden opportunity to step up as Boston’s leader if he’s fully healthy by the fall.

Jaylen Brown injury update: Celtics star undergoes knee surgery

Jaylen Brown injury update: Celtics star undergoes knee surgery originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics’ two best players have both undergone surgeries over the past month.

Jaylen Brown underwent a successful surgery on his right knee Wednesday and is expected to participate in 2025 training camp “without limitation,” the team announced. The Celtics described Brown’s surgery as a “right knee arthroscopic debridement procedure.”

Brown had been dealing with nagging right knee pain since March and missed six regular-season games in a 13-game span down the stretch. After an April 3 loss to the Miami Heat, Brown admitted he had consistent knee pain but planned to play through it.

“I’ve had to come to grips that every night I’m not gonna feel my normal self,” Brown said at the time, “but that doesn’t mean I still can’t make plays and things like that. So, it’s just something that we are working through.”

The 28-year-old didn’t miss a game in the postseason, and while his typical explosiveness was limited, he still averaged 22.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. After Boston’s second-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks, it was revealed that Brown had a partially torn right meniscus.

Brown’s surgery comes just over a month after Celtics co-star Jayson Tatum had surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. Tatum is expected to miss most or all of the 2025-26 season, giving Brown a golden opportunity to step up as Boston’s leader if he’s fully healthy by the fall.